It was perhaps the best performance of the year for the New Orleans Hornets. After the biggest comeback in franchise history Wednesday night, the Hornets followed it up with a dominant beatdown Friday evening of a Utah Jazz team that has had their number the last few years.
Chris Paul is playing a career low in minutes this season, averaing 34.4 a game. Hornets head coach Monty Williams wanted to cut back Paul's career average of 37.1 minutes game to keep Paul from burning out late in the year, and prevent a setback to his surgically repaired knee. Minutes aren't the only stat that's taken a hit on Paul's stat sheet.
The New Orleans Hornets came from 23 points down in the second half to defeat the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night at the Hive. It's the largest comeback in franchise history.
Wednesday night at the Hive, Chris Paul, Marco Belinelli, David West, and the rest of the Hornets did not look distracted by the ownership issues surrounding the Hornets. Instead, they looked focused in a dominant 93-74 victory.
David West sat out Friday's game versus the Knicks with an intestinal virus. The Hornets defensive effort probably gave many fans a stomach virus as well.
Jarrett Jack was the biggest, and best piece of a 5 player trade two weeks ago between the Hornets and Raptors. While no one will doubt Jack's skills, it's been slower than expected in regards to learning the Hornets system.
Manu Ginobili scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit to hand the New Orleans Hornets their first home loss of the season, 109-95 on Sunday.
Teams have physically handled the Hornets on their current four game road trip. Tonight in Salt Lake City, the Hornets face the most physical team in the NBA.
While Chris Paul took the Hornets first loss hard, he most hard on himself. CP3 picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter. "You can't do nothing on the bench. That's my fault. I felt like the fouls were here or there, that's my fault, I can't expect the refs to not call it."
The New Orleans Hornets lose a tight one on the road to the Dallas Mavericks 98-95. The two teams will meet up on the hardwood again this Wednesday at the Hive.
David West and Marco Belinelli each scored 18 points Saturday night and the Hornets improved to 8-0, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 107-87. The Hornets have held all of their opponents this season under 100 points. This was the third straight time New Orleans allowed fewer than 90 points.
Sometimes you know what you're going to get. Other times, you think you're reeling in a brim, when you have a decent sized trout on the end of the line. Jason Smith has been a great find for the New Orleans Hornets this season.
The New Orleans Hornets have been the surprise of the NBA thus far, but they are not fooled by their 7-0 start. Though they've beaten "contenders'' Miami, San Antonio and Denver (until Melo leaves), the Hornets' front office knows it hasn't yet joined the elite.
The club's plan to get to that level involves Peja Stojakovic, whose value is now in his contract rather than his shot. ESPN's Chris Broussard has the story.